Line/rod weights and types of fish

"Oz" wrote in message
news

My question revolves around practicality and what I should purchase to
fish locally. We have a ton of lakes and one very good river (the Huron
River) in my neighborhood. I would be fishing primarily for large mouth
and small mouth bass and pan fish. Is there a single rod and reel that I
could purchase to fish this variety of species - maybe a 6 weight? At this
point, I am looking for lower end/beginner equipment because I am just
beginning and would like to get my 15 year old son involved too. So, quite
frankly, I am looking for something that would get us started and
something that we could use to fish for the species I indicated.

First, figure out what fish you want to catch. Then, figure out what lure
(or fly) you want to use to catch them. Then, figure out what size line it
will take to cast that fly. Then, match the rod to the line. Add in some
extra weight in case you'll be casting into wind.

The mistake some people make is going too light just because they're fishing
for panfish. The fact is, some of those panfish bugs are big and bulky
compared to tiny trout flies, and take bigger line to cast them comfortably.
That's obviously even more true for bigger fish such as bass.

"Oz" wrote in message
m...

Does that mean I will need a different rod/reel combo for panfish?

No not necessarily. As I mentioned in another thread, some people go too
light just because the fish is smaller. If you're casting tiny flies for
panfish with no wind you can get away with a 3 or 4 weight. But a 7 weight
will cast small flies just fine. A 3 wt will not cast big flies fine at
all. If you can have one rod, it should probably be at least a 6 wt. If
you are going to have 2, then you can get a 4 or 5 wt and then a 7 wt. You
might try getting 2 and trading with your son.

For bass, go to a 7 wt. if not an 8 because this will throw
the larger streamers and poppers desirable in bass
fishing. They might overload 6 wt. tackle or at least
shorten your fishing day by fatigue. Besides, if you
go out for winter steelhead or salmon you will appreciate
being able to hold a big fish harder.

"Oz" wrote in message
m...

Does that mean I will need a different rod/reel combo for panfish?

No. The ultimate correlate of line weight is delicacy of
presentation or the smallness of the fly you can fish effectively.
When trout get ultra-selective, e.g. in a Trico hatch, your fly
is size #20 or smaller, best fished with a 4-wt rod and line.
But panfish usually take anything between fly size #1 and (small)
size #14, the normal range of flies for which a 7-wt outfit is perfect.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Don Phillipson wrote:
"Oz" wrote:
Does that mean I will need a different rod/reel combo for panfish?

No. The ultimate correlate of line weight is delicacy of
presentation or the smallness of the fly you can fish effectively.
When trout get ultra-selective, e.g. in a Trico hatch, your fly
is size #20 or smaller, best fished with a 4-wt rod and line.
But panfish usually take anything between fly size #1 and (small)
size #14, the normal range of flies for which a 7-wt outfit is perfect.

A 7wt outfit is perfect for panfish ?!!?

Just goes to show that the advice you receive on Usenet
is worth exactly what you pay for it.

--
Ken Fortenberry

Oz" wrote in message
news

I am very interested in flyfishing and I want to start purchasing the
equipment to begin in the Spring (I live in SE Michigan, near Ann Arbor,
and it is starting to become crappy outside so I figure I should start
preparing for Spring now - or at least start asking questions).

My question revolves around practicality and what I should purchase to
fish locally. We have a ton of lakes and one very good river (the Huron
River) in my neighborhood. I would be fishing primarily for large mouth
and small mouth bass and pan fish. Is there a single rod and reel that I
could purchase to fish this variety of species - maybe a 6 weight? At this
point, I am looking for lower end/beginner equipment because I am just
beginning and would like to get my 15 year old son involved too. So, quite
frankly, I am looking for something that would get us started and
something that we could use to fish for the species I indicated.

Thanks for your help and advice.
Oz

The most popular and all around rod is by far a 6 weight.
You can pick up a decent combo for $250 or under.
You get what you pay for
Some of the 400-600 rods cast to a dime!

If you find that the 6 wt is too heavy, then for your next rod buy a 4-5
weight , or if its too light buy a 7-8 wt
But I would and did start w a 6 weight.
It is a good tip to buy a good quality 6 wt floating line to start.

Fred

--

"

Ken Fortenberry wrote:
Don Phillipson wrote:
"Oz" wrote:
Does that mean I will need a different rod/reel combo for panfish?

No. The ultimate correlate of line weight is delicacy of
presentation or the smallness of the fly you can fish effectively.
When trout get ultra-selective, e.g. in a Trico hatch, your fly
is size #20 or smaller, best fished with a 4-wt rod and line.
But panfish usually take anything between fly size #1 and (small)
size #14, the normal range of flies for which a 7-wt outfit is perfect.

A 7wt outfit is perfect for panfish ?!!?

Depends. If the size of your dick depends on and is inversely
proportional to the line rating of the rod that you catch a fish on,
then no. If not, then who cares?

Just goes to show that the advice you receive on Usenet
is worth exactly what you pay for it.

Of all the stupid aphorisms one can hardly avoid in this life despite
one's not inconsiderable best efforts, those having to do with one or
another stupid permutation of correlation between what one pays and
what one gets for it are about the stupidest that one routinely
encounters.

Incidentally, just how much did the OP pay you for your advice?

Wolfgang
no charge for this one.......and you'll never get a better deal from
anyone.

Oz wrote:
Howdy,

Hi.

...My question revolves around practicality and what I should purchase to fish
locally....

Most of the advice you've gotten here is pretty good.....as it
generally is. You may take it as a given that it is now, and
typically, worth a great deal more than you paid for it.

However, the equipment you put your money into, while an important
ingredient in a satisfying fly fishing experience, can be no better
than what's using it, regardless of cost or quality. Don't forget to
invest heavily in a good arm, eyes, sense of rhythm, etc. Even
moderately good technique is infinitely more adaptable and valuable
than the finest bits of stuff.

Thanks for your help and advice.

You're welcome.

Oz

Wolfgang

panfish usually take anything between fly size #1 and (small)
size #14, the normal range of flies for which a 7-wt outfit is perfect.

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
. net...

A 7wt outfit is perfect for panfish ?!!?

My error: I should have written that fly size #2 to #14 is
the normal range of flies for which a 7-wt outfit is perfect.
(The #1 streamer is just too heavy for most casters on a
7-=wt; #2s are OK.) As the original text suggests, the
7-wt outfit is perfect for this range of fly size -- not for
any one particular species of fish.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Don Phillipson wrote:
"Ken Fortenberry" wrote:
A 7wt outfit is perfect for panfish ?!!?

My error: I should have written that fly size #2 to #14 is
the normal range of flies for which a 7-wt outfit is perfect.
(The #1 streamer is just too heavy for most casters on a
7-=wt; #2s are OK.) As the original text suggests, the
7-wt outfit is perfect for this range of fly size -- not for
any one particular species of fish.

That's right. One can cast a panfish fly with a 7wt but
that doesn't make a 7wt the perfect fly fishing tool for
panfish. A 7wt is *way* too much rod to be anything other
than a servicable but less than ideal fly rod for panfish.

--
Ken Fortenberry

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
. net...
Don Phillipson wrote:
"Oz" wrote:
Does that mean I will need a different rod/reel combo for panfish?

No. The ultimate correlate of line weight is delicacy of
presentation or the smallness of the fly you can fish effectively.
When trout get ultra-selective, e.g. in a Trico hatch, your fly
is size #20 or smaller, best fished with a 4-wt rod and line.
But panfish usually take anything between fly size #1 and (small)
size #14, the normal range of flies for which a 7-wt outfit is perfect.

A 7wt outfit is perfect for panfish ?!!?

Pay attention. It's the perfect size for most panfish *flies* like poppers
or little weighted jig-type things. That's the most important thing for
most people.